I'm converting a spare bedroom into my home gym. I'm wanting to get it setup fairly decently. I'm wondering what I should do about the matting. If I want "real" gym quality matting, it looks like that typically runs between $2-4/sq ft and is 3/4 to 1" thick. There's the more generic rubber matting thats 1/2" thick thats around $.50/sq. ft. Obviously I'd rather go the cheaper route, but only if thats going to be adequate thickness/toughness. The cheaper stuff I'm looking at is the matting from Sam's (I think the same stuff John Stone used in his home gym). I've got a Smith machine I'll be using on it in addition to free weights (mainly DB's). Anybody have insight on whether the 1/2" generic rubber matting will be adequate?

thanks in advance

If you're ripping up carpet, 1/2" rubber is just fine, you won't damage a thing. I have a power rack and bench on 1/4" foam flooring over carpet, and it's just fine. I'd go with rubber though if you have the budget.

1/2 inch rubber is plenty. Mine is 3/8" and was about 4$ s.f.

I also have 2pcs of 1" rubber about 18" X 36" I just pull out when Im doing dumbell presses and deadlifts and lay where the weight will drop for extra protection. Last thing I want is a 100lbs dumbell taking a big chunk of concrete out of the floor. If you can't find anything like this just buy a couple of peices of the flooring and use that. Can't hurt!